Surgical Services

Endoscopy can be used to simultaneously diagnose and treat problems anywhere along your digestive tract. During these outpatient, minimally invasive procedures, a long flexible tube with a video camera is guided to the site of the issue. This allows your physician to assess potential problems. Miniature surgical instruments are available through the tube and can be used to biopsy or remove suspicious tissue, stop uncontrolled bleeding, and more.

The most common types of endoscopies include:

• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, in which the tube is inserted through the throat. Also called an EGD (for esophagogastroduodenoscopy), this procedure may be used to explore possible causes of stomach pain or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
• Colonoscopy, in which the tube is inserted through the rectum. It may be performed to confirm or rule out potential causes of symptoms such as rectal bleeding, chronic diarrhea, or chronic constipation. Most people are familiar with this procedure as the recommended screening for colon cancer.

In both cases, patients are sedated during the procedure and typically recall nothing of the endoscopy.

Our surgeons can treat a wide range of medical conditions and diseases, including emergency and elective procedures.

Some of the most common general surgery procedures available at RCH include:

• Biopsy and Excision, Drainage of Abscesses, Skin Cancer Management
• Management of Acute and Chronic Gastrointestinal/Stomach Issues
• Hernia repairs
• Gallbladder procedures
• Colon surgery
• Management of Perianal or anal issues
• Thoracic/Lung Procedures
• Management of Acute and Chronic Wounds

When every minute counts, Ringgold County Hospital is here to deliver the medication, treatment, and other services you need.

Intravenous (IV) infusions are often preferred in emergency situations – such as when a patient has lost a lot of blood and requires a blood transfusion, or when medication (such as IV antibiotics) need to be circulated throughout the body, as quickly as possible and without any dilution from the digestive process.

We also offer outpatient infusion therapy, for patients who require chemotherapy or other types of specialized medications and other cocktails delivered intravenously.

This minimally invasive surgical technique is often preferred over traditional surgical methods because it can result in reduced post-op pain, scarring, and risk of infection – as well as a faster recovery period. Rather than make one large incision, a laparoscopy utilizes several tiny incisions, through which special surgical instruments can be inserted and used. A tiny camera is among these instruments, which allows your surgeon to clearly see details of the surgery site without having to “open you up” unnecessarily. Because of the way in which the surgery is performed, laparoscopic surgery involves much less trauma to nearby healthy tissue. Some of the most common laparoscopic procedures available at RCH include:

• Gallbladder surgery
• Appendectomy
• Nissen Fundoplication for Hiatal Hernia
• Colon Resections
• Hernia Repair

If you have a problem moving – which typically means a problem with your bones, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissue – you may need an orthopedic procedure.

At Ringgold County Hospital, our surgeons can provide a comprehensive assortment of orthopedic surgeries and other procedures. This includes everything from trigger finger or carpal tunnel release to total hip, shoulder, or knee replacements. We also perform minimally invasive arthroscopies, in which a special device is used to simultaneously diagnose and treat problems at the joint.

Conditions affecting your blood vessels and circulation may be addressed with vascular surgery. These conditions include blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), peripheral artery disease (PAD), carotid artery disease (CAD), varicose veins, and more.

Among the types of vascular care, testing, and surgery we perform at RCH are:

• Arterial and venous angiograms
• Arterial endovascular stent, atherectomy, and angioplasty in upper and lower extremities
• Endovascular intervention for chronic or emergent arterial or venous clot, embolization and occlusion
• Management of acute Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) both surgical and nonsurgical
• Management of varicose veins and vein ablations
• All vascular access procedures including infusion ports, central lines, PICC lines, and temporary Dialysis access catheters